Racing: Colt's odds shorten as crisis ends

Xtravagant.

The late engagement of a Singapore Airlines flight to Melbourne this morning ended the Xtravagant crisis.

Xtravagant's assault on Saturday's A$750,000 Australian Guineas was put in doubt when the flight transporting the colt to Melbourne yesterday morning was cancelled.

Emergency calls went out and a flight was organised for this morning.

Co-trainer Stephen Autridge, who flew to Melbourne yesterday morning to meet Xtravagant, said the trip had to be in serious doubt if this morning's flight had been further delayed.

"We found a flight that was going Sydney-Singapore and managed to divert it to Melbourne," said New Zealand Bloodstock Transport executive Greg Northcott.

This morning's flight is due to leave at 9am, necessitating the cancellation of the arrangement to introduce Xtravagant and Stephen Autridge to media outlets this morning.

Xtravagant drew the perfect No 3 barrier when fields were finalised yesterday morning. The colt was originally posted as $3.80 favourite on futures betting with outlets in Australia, but shortened to be less than $3 after the barrier draw.

The Darren Weir-trained Palentino is regarded as the main danger, a bit ahead of Tarzino.